World's fastest phone charger to reduce battery stress

By Tereza Pultarova

Published Monday, August 4, 2014

A British start-up has launched a crowdfunding campaign to raise money for development of what it says is the world’s fastest mobile phone charger.

The charger relies on an external battery and doesn’t require an electricity socket. According to the project’s author, Aston University graduate Leigh Purnell, the device can fully charge a phone in 15 minutes, reducing the concern of smartphone owners about running out of power.

“I founded Petalite Battery Systems to permanently remove the stress and worry of having a mobile phone on low battery when you are out and about,” Purnell said.

“It is an increasingly large problem in modern life, especially if you are relying on your phone to direct you somewhere or are waiting for important information to be sent to you.”

The portable device, fitting easily into a pocket or bag, can be connected to a drained phone to enable the user to carry on with his or her day.

“We believe that it is the fastest charger in the world and that it has real potential to make peoples’ lives that bit easier, whether commuting to and from work, on a family day out or enjoying an evening catching up with friends," Purnell said.

A recent study found that 92 per cent of British people would feel stressed if the battery in their smartphone were to run out, highlighting our increasing dependence on technology. At least 60 per cent of the people surveyed said they would be frustrated and 25 per cent said they would feel panicked if their battery ran out.

The Petalite Battery System project has received support from the Birmingham Skills for Enterprise and Employability Network (BSEEN) programme, which is part-funded by the European Regional Development Fund.

The BSEEN team support students and graduates who are setting up businesses by offering mentoring, workshops, a business grant and workspace.

A crowdfunding campaign will be launched on the Indiegogo website at the end of August.